ART. XIII. Memoirs of the Abbé Edgeworth; containing his Narrative of the last Hours of Louis XVI. By C. Sneyd Edgeworth. Svo. 224 pp. Hunter.

1815.

THE happy restoration of the Bourbons to the throne of France, recals our attention to the history of that ancient dynasty, and more particularly to the tragical end of the last possessor of the French throne, who fell a martyr to his own innocence. Louis the XVIth was a man of whom the French nation was not worthy, had his hands been imbrued with the blood of his people, had he led them forth to plunder and to crimes, and placed the golden chains of a military despotism upon their necks, he might still have reigned the ide of his people. But in life and in death he breathed the pure and gentle spirit of Christianity, and even on the scaffold he prayed that his blood might not be visited upon his unhappy country. We consider the volume before us as a most interesting and authentic record of the sufferings and death of a most amiable but unfortunate monarch, and as such it cannot be read without the most lively emotions. The letters of the Abbé Edgeworth are given both in the original French and in English, and display that feeling of real and affectionate attachment to his beloved sovereign, which animated the breast of that excellent man. The description of the last night of Louis the XVIth is given with so much genuiné pathos, that we cannot forbear presenting a long extract to our readers.

"It was now past ten o'clock, and I remained with the King till the night was far advanced: when perceiving that he was fatigued I requested him to take some repose. He complied with his accus Comed kindness, and charged me to lie down also. I went by his desire into a little closet which Clery occupied, which was separated from the King's chamber only by a thin partition; and whilst I was occupied by the most overwhelming thoughts, I heard the King ranquilly giving directions for the next day, after which he lay down on his bed.

"At five o'clock, he rose and dressed as usual. Soon after. wards he sent for me, and I attended him for near an hour in the cabinet, where he had received me the evening before. When I retired, I found an altar completely prepared in the King's apartment, the commissaries had executed to the letter every thing that I had required of them: they had even done more than I had asked, I having only demanded what was indispensable.

"The King heard mass, he knelt on the ground without cushion or desk, he then received the sacrament, after which ceremony I left him for a short time at his prayers; he soon sent for me again, and I found him seated near his stove, where he could scarcely warm himself.

"My God,' said he, how happy I am in the possession of my religious principles! Without them, what should I now be? But with them, how sweet death appears to me. Yes, there dwells on high an incorruptible judge, from whom I shall receive the justice refused to me on earth.'

"The sacred offices I performed at this time, prevent my relating more than a few sentences, out of many interesting conversations which the King held with me, during the last sixteen hours of hs life; but by the little that I have told, it may be seen how much might be added, if it were consistent with my duty to say more.

"Morning began to dawn, and the drums sounded in all the sections of Paris. An extraordinary movement was heard in the tower-it seemed to freeze the blood in my veins; but the King, more calm than I was, after listening to it for a moment, said to me without emotion, 'Tis probably the national guard beginning to assemble.'

"In a short time detachments of cavalry entered the court of the Temple, and the voices of officers, and the trampling of horses, were distinctly heard. The King listened again, and said to me, with the same composure, They seem to be approaching.'

"On taking leave of the Queen, the evening before, he had promised to see her again next day, and he wished earnestly to keep his word, but I intreated him not to put the Queen to a trial under which she must sink; he hesitated a moment, and then, with an expression of profound grief, said, You are right, sir, it would kill her. I must deprive myself of this melancholy consolation, and let her indulge in hope a few moments longer.

"From seven o'clock till eight, various persons came frequently under different pretences to knock at the door of the cabinet, and each time I trembled lest it should be the last. But the King, with more firmness, rose without emotion, went to the door, and quietly answered the people who thus interrupted us. I do not know who these men were, but amongst them was one of the greatest monsters that the revolution had produced; for I heard him say to his King, in a tone of mockery, I know not on what subject, Oh! that was very well once, but you are now no longer King.' His Majesty did not reply a word, but returning to me, satisfied himself by saying, See how these people treat me. But I know how to endure, every thing.'

"Another time, after having answered one of the commissaries who came to interrupt us, he returned, and said with a smile, "These people see poniards and poison every where, they fear that I shall destroy myself. Alas! they little know me, to kill myself would indeed be weakness. No! since it is necessary, I know how I ought to die.' We heard another knock at the door-it was to be the last. It was Santerre and his crew, The King opened the door as usual. They announced to him (I could not hear in what terms,) that he must prepare for death. I am occupied,' said he, with an air of authority, wait for me. In a few minutes I will

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return to you.' Then having shut the door, he kneeled at my feet. It is finished, sir,' said he, give me your last benediction, and pray that it may please God to support me to the end.' He soon arose, and leaving the cabinet, advanced towards the wretches who were in his bed-chamber. Their countenances were embarrassed, yet their hats were not taken off, and the King perceiving it, asked for his own. Whilst Clery, bathed in tears, ran for it, the King said, Are there amongst you any members of the Commune? I charge them to take care of this paper!' It was his will. One of the party took it from the King. I recommend also to the Commune, Clery, my valet de chambre. I can do no more than congratulate myself in having had his services. They will give him my watch and clothes; not only those I have here, but those that have been deposited at the Commune. I also desire, that in return for the attachment he has shewn me, he may be allowed to enter into the Queen's-into my wife's service:' he used both expressions. No one answering, the King cried out in a firm tone, Let us pro-. ceed,' at which words they all moved on; the King crossed the first court, formerly the garden, on foot: he turned back once or twice towards the tower, as if to bid adieu to all most dear to him on earth; and by his gestures it was plain that he was then trying to collect all his strength and firmness. At the entrance of the second court, a carriage waited, two gen-d'armes held the door: at the King's approach one of these men entered first, and placed himself in front, the King followed and placed me by his side*; at the back of the carriage, the other gen-d'arme jumped in last, and shut the door.

"It is said that one of these men was a priest in disguise; for the honour of religion I hope that this may be false. It is also said, that they had orders to assassinate the King on the smallest murmur from the people; I do not know whether this might have been their design, but it seems to me, that unless they possessed other arms than those that appeared, it would have been difficult to accomplish their purpose; for their muskets only were visible, which it would have been impossible for them to have used. These apprehended murmurs were not imaginary, a great number of people devoted to the King had resolved on tearing him from the hands of his guards, or at least on making the attempt. Two of the principal actors, young men whose names are well known, found means to inform me the night before of their intentions; and though my hopes were not sanguine, I yet did not despair of rescue, even at the foot of the scaffold. I have since heard, that the orders

*"The Abbé Edgeworth has here, with admirable modesty, omitted, what his private letter to his brother mentions, that Louis the Sixteenth thought that the attendance of his confessor had closed when he quitted the Temple, and was equally astonished and consoled by his accompanying him to the place of execution. Note by the Editor."

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for this dreadful morning had been planned with so much art, and executed with so much precision, that of four or five hundred people, thus devoted to their prince, twenty-five only succeeded in reaching the place of rendezvous. In consequence of the measures taken before day-break in all the streets of Paris, none of the rest were able to get out of their houses.

"The King finding himself seated in the carriage, where he could neither speak to me or be spoken to without witness, kept a profound silence I presented him with my breviary, the only book I had with me, and he seemed to accept it with pleasure: he appeared anxious that I should point out to him the psalms that were most suited to his situation, and he recited them attentively with me. The gend'armes, without speaking, seemed astonished and confounded at the tranquil piety of their monarch, to whom they doubtless never had before approached so near.

"The procession lasted almost two hours, the streets were lined with citizens, all armed, some with pikes and some with guns, and the carriage was surrounded by a body of troops, formed of the most desperate people of Paris. As another precaution, they had placed before the horses a great number of drums intended to drown any noise or murmur in favor of the King; but how could they be heard, nobody appeared either at the doors or windows, and in the street nothing was to be seen but armed citizens. Citizens, all rushing towards the commission of a crime, which perhaps they detested in their hearts.

"The carriage proceeded thus in silence to the Place de Louis XV. and stopped in the middle of a large space that had been left round the scaffold; this space was surrounded with cannon, and beyond, an armed multitude extended as far as the eye could reach. As soon as the King perceived that the carriage stopped, he turned and whispered to me,We are arrived, if I mistake not. My silence answered that we were. One of the guards came to open the carriage door, and the gensd'armes would have jumped out, hut the King stopped them, and leaning his arm on my knee, Gentlemen,' said he, with the tone of majesty, I recommend to you this good man, take care that after my death no insult be offered to him, I charge you to prevent it.' The two men answered not a word, the King was continuing in a louder tone, but one of them stopped him, saying, Yes, yes, we will take care. Leave him to usand I ought to add, that these words were spoken in a toneof voice which must have overwhelmed me, if at such a moment it had been possible for me to have thought of myself. As soon as the King had left the carriage, three guards surrounded him, and would have taken off his clothes, but he repulsed them with haughtiness; he undressed himself, untied his neckcloth, opened his shirt, and arranged it himself. The guards, whom the determined coun tenance of the King had for a moment disconcerted, seemed to recover their audacity. They surrounded him again, and would have seized his hands. What are you attempting?' said the King

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wing back his hands. To bind you,' answered the wretches. `o bind me,' said the King, with an indignant air, No! I shall ver consent to that, do what you have been ordered, but you ill never bind me.' The guards insisted, they raised their voices, 1 seemed to wish to call on others to assist them.

"Perhaps this was the most terrible moment of this most eadful morning; another instant, and the best of Kings would ve received from his rebellious subjects, indignities too horrid to ntion-indignities that would have been to him more insupport le than death. Such was the feeling expressed on his counteace. Turning towards me, he looked at me steadily, as if to ask advice. Alas' it was impossible for me to give any, and I only swered by silence; but as he continued this fixed look of enquiry, eplied, Sire, in this new insult, I only see another trait of resem nce between your Majesty and the Saviour who is about to compence you.' At these words he raised his eyes to heaven, th an expression that can never be described. You are right, d he, nothing less than his example should make me submit to ch a degradation.' Then turning to the guards, Do what you HI, I will drink of the cup even to the dregs.'

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"The path leading to the scaffold was extremely rough and ficult to pass, the King was obliged to lean en my arm, and from slowness with which he proceeded, I feared for a moment that courage might fail; but what was my astonishment, when ived at the last step, I felt that he suddenly let go my arm, and aw him cross with a firm foot the breadth of the whole scaffold; ence, by his look alone, fifteen or twenty drums that were placed posite to him; and in a voice so loud, that it must have been ard at the Pont Tournant, I heard him pronounce distinctly these emorable words. I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my arge; I pardon those who have occasioned my death; and I pray God, that the blood you are now going to sked may never be visited France.

"He was proceeding, when a man on horseback, in the national iform, waved his word, and with a ferocious cry, ordered the ums to beat. Many voices were at the same time heard encou ging the executioners. They seemed reanimated themselves, and izing with violence the most virtuous of Kings, they dragged him nder the axe of the guillotine, which with one stroke severed his ead from his body. All this passed in a moment. The youngest

the guards, who seemed about eighteen, immediately seized the ead, and shewed it to the people as he walked round the scaffold; e accompanied this monstrous ceremony with the most atrocious nd indecent gestures. At first an awful silence prevailed; at length me cries of Vive la Republique were heard. By degrees the vices multiplied, and in less than ten minutes this cry, a thousand mes repeated, became the universal shout of the multitude, and very hat was in the air." P. 69.

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